Participatory Methods
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Sandwich

Sandwich
Duration
30 to 60 minutes, depending on the complexity of the topic.
Participants
6 to 20 people, organized into small groups.
Areas of application
Educación y formaciónDesarrollo comunitarioGestión organizacional y empresarialPlanificación urbana y ruralSalud y bienestar socialArte, cultura y creatividadSostenibilidad y medio ambientePolíticas públicas y gobernanzaInnovación y diseñoInvestigación y evaluaciónResolución de conflictosTecnología y entornos digitalesParticipación ciudadana y social
Participation level
ColaboraciónGeneración de conocimiento
Target audience
EducadoresFacilitadoresEstudiantesLíderes comunitariosONGs y colectivos socialesEquipos empresarialesFuncionarios públicosDiseñadores creativos
The Sandwich dynamic is a participatory activity that uses a "sandwich" or layered structure to generate ideas, prioritize elements, or reflect on a topic. Participants contribute thoughts or proposals that are placed as "layers" of a sandwich, allowing for a visual and collaborative approach. This metaphor promotes organization and clarity in group work.

Preparation

  1. Define the purpose:
    • What goal do you want to achieve with this activity?
      • Generating ideas collaboratively?
      • Organizing and prioritizing elements?
      • Reflecting on a specific topic?
  2. Prepare the materials:
    • Physical format:
      • Cardstock or paper cut into the shape of a sandwich (top and bottom bread, intermediate layers).
      • Colored markers and sticky notes for writing ideas.
    • Digital format:
      • Templates in collaborative digital tools to represent the sandwich.
  3. Set up the space:
    • In-person: Arrange small work tables with all materials ready for groups.
    • Virtual: Set up a digital platform that allows visual collaboration.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Introduce the purpose
    • Explain the goal of the activity and how the sandwich layers will represent different ideas or reflections.
    • Example: "The top bread represents the beginning of the process, the middle layers are the key ideas, and the bottom bread is the conclusion."
  2. Divide into small groups
    • Split participants into teams of 4-6 people.
    • Provide each group with a blank sandwich template (physical or digital) to work on.
  3. Generate ideas or reflections
    • Ask participants to write their ideas on sticky notes or directly onto the sandwich layers.
    • Provide clear examples based on the activity’s purpose:
      • If solving a problem, the layers could represent causes, solutions, and outcomes.
      • If reflecting on a topic, the layers could be questions, key learnings, and conclusions.
  4. Organize the layers
    • Participants place their ideas on the sandwich, arranging them logically or creatively.
    • Facilitate a discussion to prioritize or adjust ideas if needed.
  5. Group presentation
    • Each team presents their sandwich to the whole group, explaining how they organized the ideas and why.
  6. Closing and reflection
    • Reflect as a group on the ideas generated and how they can be applied.
    • Thank participants for their collaboration and creativity.

Purpose

The purpose of Sandwich is to structure ideas or reflections in a visual and collaborative way, promoting creativity and clarity in concept organization.

Required materials

  • Blank sandwiches (physical or digital).
  • Sticky notes, markers, or digital tools to record ideas.

Platforms

Practical recommendations

  • Provide clear examples: Help participants understand how to organize the sandwich layers.
  • Facilitate discussion: Encourage idea exchange within the groups.
  • Document the results: Save the final sandwiches for future reference.

Inspiration

Example of a Sandwich
Community Event Planning
  • Top bread (Event vision): Create an inclusive space where neighbors can share ideas and strengthen the community.
  • Lettuce (Specific objectives): Gather 100 participants, promote local collaborative projects, generate ideas to improve public spaces.
  • Tomato (Target audience): Neighbors of all ages, local businesses, community groups, and volunteers.
  • Cheese (Necessary resources): Physical venue, sound equipment, materials for activities.
  • Meat (Main activities): Participatory workshops, discussion panels, local initiative fair.
  • Sauce (Promotion): Social media campaign, community posters, word of mouth among neighbors.
  • Pickles (External collaborations): Participation of local NGOs, sponsors, or community businesses.
  • Onion (Possible challenges): Coordinating schedules, attracting enough participants, managing limited budgets.
  • Mustard (Key themes): Inclusion, sustainability, civic engagement.
  • Olives (Innovative ideas): Incorporating technology to livestream the event or conduct live surveys.
  • Bottom bread (Expected outcomes): Strengthen social cohesion, identify collaborative projects, and enhance community communication.